Location: Sunch'ŏn (順川市), South P'yŏng'an Province (平安南道), North Korea

Subordinate to: Ministry of Extractive Industries (採取工業省), Cabinet (內閣)

Primary Function: Mining

Description: There are conflicting reports about the status of this mine, even from the same sources. According to defector Kim Tae Ho, the mine’s uranium was depleted in 1987. Author Chang Chun Ik says the mine was abandoned in 1987 after all accessible uranium had been extracted, but he also says that the mine was in operation as of 1999. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute’s Technology Center for Nuclear Control also claims the mine is still in operation. Furthermore, other reports claim that the mine was “under development” during the 1990s. In 1994, the Segye Ilbo reported that ore extracted from the Sunch’ŏn Uranium Mine was sent to the Namch’ŏn Chemical Complex (南川化學聯合企業所) in P’yŏngsan-kun, North Hwanghae Province, and to the “April Industrial Enterprise (4月企業所) in Unjŏn-kun,  North P’yŏng’an Province.” [Note: The “April Industrial Enterprise” in Unjŏn-kun is actually the “Pakch’ŏn Uranium Milling Facility” in Pakch’ŏn-kun, North P’yang’an Province.]  The ore extracted from this mine is called “ore number two (2號 鑛石),” which according to Kim Tae Ho, is bulky and hard, calcareous ore.

	Updated June 2003

Key Sources:
"Kit'a Pukhanŭi Haekkaebal Kwallyŏn Naeyong," Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr>; Kim Pyŏng Ku et al., Pukhaekkisulch'ongsŏ-I (Taejŏn: Technology Center for Nuclear Control, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, November 1999), <http://www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr>; Kim Tae Ho, Watashiga Mita Kitachosen  Kakukojono Shinjitsu, (Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten, 2003) pp. 19-20, 58-60; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng, (Seoul: Sŏmundang, 1999), pp. 133, 145; Mun C'hang Jae, "Puk, Yŏngbyŏnwŏnjaro Modu 5 Kae: Wŏnjaryŏk Kanbu," Hankuk Ilbo, 15 April 1992, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Lee Yong U, "'Uranium T'amsa Tŭng Haekkaebal Hyŏl'an'/Pukansŏ Kwisunhan 3 Myŏng Kijahoegyŏn," Segye Ilbo, 10 May 1994, p. 26, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure," Jane's Intelligence Review, 1 February 1994, p. 77; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), pp. 64-65.